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Air Pollution | EPA and academia conduct research on regional pollution sources, hoping to scientifically help detoxify ozone

2022-09-19T11:27:14.439Z


Hong Kong's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) has reached "Very High" and "Severe" levels several times in the past week, reflecting the increased short-term health risks to the public. The EPD, together with the University of Science and Technology, the Chinese University, the Polytechnic


Hong Kong's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) has reached "Very High" and "Severe" levels several times in the past week, reflecting the increased short-term health risks to the public.

The Environmental Protection Department, together with scholars from the University of Science and Technology, the Chinese University of Science and Technology, and the University of Science and Technology, formed a collaborative atmospheric research team to carry out regional research projects on ozone and photochemical smog pollution, and formulate ozone and chemical control strategies based on scientific results.


The Environmental Protection Department, together with HKUST and other universities, launched a three-year research project on "Research and Development of Scientific Regional Ozone and Photochemical Smog Control Strategies".

It is planned to first set up new real-time monitoring instruments in various districts, establish a multi-site radar network, and on days when high concentrations of ozone are recorded, three-way sampling by sea, land and air to monitor the composition and changes of active volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere in real time.

Then through the construction of a VOC laboratory to analyze its components and sources, and to establish a photochemical model to comprehensively analyze multiple monitoring results.


▼September 16, the air pollution was serious, and the Victoria Harbour was gray▼


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Professor Donald R. Blake, an American chemist who participated in the project, said that pollution control is ineffective if the active volatile pollutants in the area are not properly identified and mastered.

He emphasized that understanding the composition and changes of reactive volatile pollutants can help formulate comprehensive and targeted emission reduction policies to solve the ozone problem.

Ozone is the number one pollutant that increases short-term health risks.

Unlike directly emitted pollutants (such as sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide), ozone is formed by photochemical reactions of reactive precursors in sunlight.

Liu Qihan, director of HKUST's Institute of Environment, pointed out the complexity of the ozone problem, "In different regions and places, the organic substances that form ozone are different, so we must use a scientific method to find the main pollutants that cause ozone formation."

Over the past two decades, the governments of Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong have implemented various emission reduction measures.

The concentration of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in the air has a significant downward trend, but the concentration of ozone is at a high level and has a rising trend.

Leung Kai-ming, assistant director of Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department (air quality policy), said the study was launched last year.

The second large-scale sampling was completed in September this year, and the relevant sample data is now being analyzed. It is expected that the third sampling will be completed by the end of next year, and a full report will be available in 2024.

He emphasized that the research will help to find out the causes and transmission trajectories of ozone, so that the governments of the three places can clearly identify pollutants and conduct corresponding control, so as to solve the ozone problem and formulate longer-term and targeted measures.

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For the first time, the research program has partnered with the Government Flying Service to sample air pollutants.

The Government Flying Service will use special sample canisters to take samples from a total of 80 places in the sea, land and air on one to two high-pollution days each year for all-round air measurements.

"The sample tank is made of stainless steel and has a professional coating to prevent chemicals, such as Benzene and Tolune, from being transported to change the substances in the air, ensuring the stability of the substances," said a laboratory researcher.

The dry continental air current affects the observatory, which is expected to reach a maximum of 36 degrees today or break a record. The air pollution is severe and the nose is sensitive. The air pollution has reached a severe level of 10. It is expected to continue to purify the air next week. Level Observatory is expected to be 36 degrees or 36 degrees, central and western districts, Tsuen Wan and other ten districts, the air quality health index records 10+, and the health risk is serious

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2022-09-19

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